Folger Book Club: 'Twelfth Knight'
by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Why did we choose this?

The Folger Shakespeare Library’s collection explores not only Shakespeare’s life and works, but also the plays’ historical context, source material, critical and performance histories, and the ways in which they inspire and are adapted by contemporary novelists.

Twelfth Knight borrows plot elements and character inspiration from William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, thoughtfully exploring questions of sexism and self-identity in a high school setting. YA fiction is increasingly being recognized for its high-quality and appeal beyond teenage audiences, with outlets such as The Atlantic and The Guardian exploring how YA books have been broadening their readership.

Twelfth Knight also connect to two exciting strands of Folger programming: Folger Institute’s “Folger Foe-lios,” a series of introductory 5E Adventures meant to be enjoyed in a single session up to six players and a Game Master (GM), and Folger Theatre’s upcoming production of Twelfth Night, on stage May 13 – June 22.

About the Book Club

Our informal Book Club is free and open to all. Our picks range from historical fiction to adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, encompassing a wide variety of genres.

Each session begins with a guest speaker exploring that month’s pick and highlighting items from the Folger collection related to the plot and themes of the novel. After the presentation, participants will be broken into smaller groups for breakout discussions, moderated by a team of staff and volunteers.